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Discussion on County Despri saddle
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Member:
Lisao
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 8, 2006 - 9:05 pm:
Does anyone have any experience with a County Despri saddle? This is the one that apparently has moveable flaps to provide more flexibility in discipline than a typical all purpose saddle. I am looking for an AP saddle for my youngster's early training. Any other favorites out there?
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 8, 2006 - 9:35 pm:
I used to have a Courbette all purpose. I loved it! It was cheap (got it on eBay) but very sturdy and nice looking. The seat was really deep and it made me feel very secure. I only sold it because my hunt seat instructors hated it - they said I needed a jumping saddle. My dressage instructors hated it because they wanted me in a dressage saddle. I just couldn't win. I now own a Passier Nicole and love it.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jan 9, 2006 - 12:36 am:
I like to use my old western saddle when working with young horses. It's light weight for a western saddle, and has a nice deep seat and balanced stirrup position. I think a dressage saddle would work good, too, except I think I'd want to replace the typical stirrups with wider ones. My AP saddle tends to throw you forward more than I'd like to be in case a youngster "bounces" a little to high or quickly.
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Monday, Jan 9, 2006 - 8:13 am:
Sara,
You make an excellent point. I forgot how forward my Courbette was! I once witnessed a very good trainer working with an eventing horse. The horse had some behavioral issues that needed to be worked out. The trainer was riding in a western saddle. He said that the horse didn't really care what type of saddle was sitting on it's back as long as it was comfortable.
Ann
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Member:
Nofences
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Posted on Monday, Jan 9, 2006 - 10:56 am:
Yes, Lisa, I have a County Despri. I bought it probably 6 or 7 yrs ago so that I could use the various flap positions instead of buying 2 different saddles. It was very comfortable for the horse I sized it for, and is very comfortable for me as well. My instructor liked it better than an AP saddle because simply by changing the flap position and stirrup length both my horse & I felt the change (as if we had changed saddles), and we could accomplish more in our allotted lesson time. I've never ridden in an AP saddle, but I would be concerned about using one for training a young/green horse if they put you into a more forward position. My background was western, but I was interested in both dressage and some low level jumping with my horse, and found the Despri to have a deeper, more dressage saddle, seat - which I liked. If you could find someone who has one that you could ride in you would probably be able to make a more informed decision about using one with your horse.
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Member:
Lisao
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006 - 7:49 pm:
Thanks for all your input. Lots of food for thought. My initial backing is done with a western saddle. But sooner or later it is time to switch  . I have something of a tendency to sit heavily and drive too much with my seat(OK, OK, I'm working on it), so I'm thinking a slightly forward position will help me protect my horse's back. Does this sound sane?
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